Ventilating apparatus



Jan. 1, 1957 w. A. WULLE VENTILATING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 25, 1953 William A. Wu/Ie E Z Z Jan. 1, 1957 w. A. WULLE 2,775,927

VENTILATING APPARATUS Filed April 23, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 William A. Wa/le WMM 9 b H E Z Z1 75 Jan. 1, 1957 w. A. WULLE VENTILATING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 23, 1955 1511 42 mic-2 William A. Wul/e q frt Jan. 1, 1957 w. A. WULLE 2,775,927

VENTILATING APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IZYFE 172 57 7- William A. Wzzl/e b 1 7 zw g Uni d 8 atent '0" National Company, Chicago, Ill't', a corporation of New Jersey Application April 23, 1953-,- s'erin No; 350,607 4 Claims. 01. 9s--40 The present disclosure is a-continuzttion-id-part of my copending applicationSerial No. 278,544 now issued as Patent No. 2,701,998.

This invention relates, generally to ventilating apparatus and more particularly to a: ventilating apparatus for a compartment wherein a plurality of modular panel units are spaced from one wall of the compartment to provide an air space between the wall and the panel units and selected ones of the panel units are constructed to provide plenumnhambers having a diffusion plate outlet for supplying diffused-air at a low velocity to the compartment, eachof the panel units having a collar member providing a valve for admitting a controlled supply of air to the plenum chamber from a source at higher pressure.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular type ventilating'apparatu's employing a plurality of modular panel units or diffusion units for the controlled di stribution of ventilating air.

Anotherobject of the present invention is to provide an improved ventilating apparatus wherein inodularpanel units are'employed providing in part a smooth wall surface to the interior of a compartment-being ventilated.

Another object of the present invention is' to provide a pressure-displacement type ventilating apparatus'wherein a'primary plenum chamber may be remotely spaced 2,775,927 Patented Jan. 1, 1957 partsshown in'elevation taken substantially on line III III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view with parts broken away showing additional details of construction of one of the collar units provided in accordance with the" principles of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view in the direction of the arrows shown on line V-V of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line VI"VI of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially on line VII-VII of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of one of the collar members provided in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Figure 9 is an elevational view with parts broken away of the collar unit of Figure 8; and

from a secondary plenum chamber and wherein the spaced apart plenum chambers may be selectively communicated by a serpentine fleirible sleeve-like conduit.

Yet another object of the present invention isto provide an improved flexible sleeve conduit means for a ventilating apparatus which will eifect flow communication between mis-aligned inlet and outlet apertures provided by spaced apart duct means.

Another object of the present invention is toprovide a flexible sleeve duct for a ventilating apparatusand improved mounting means at opposite ends thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a standardized form of ventilating apparatus-which may be conveniently fabricated from stock-piled components but which will be adaptable for installations of-different supply requirements.

Many other features, advantages and additional objects of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference t'othe detailed description which follows and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example only.

Figure 1 is an exploded view showing in perspective the various components of a ventilating-apparatus incorporating the principles of the present invent-ion;.

Figure 2 is a reduced cross sectional view showing additional details of construction-of the apparatus 'of Fig-' ure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross se ctional view with Figure 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view with parts shown in elevation of a so-called plenum installation provided in'accordance with the principles of the present invention.

As shown on the drawings:

Ventilating apparatus of the present invention comprises a plurality of modular panel units indicated in Figures 1 and 10 generally by the reference numeral 11 which are spaced from one wall 12 of a compartment to be ventilated to provide an air space 13 between the Wall 1-2 and 'thepanel units 11.

For example, as shown in Figure 1, one wall of the c'ompartnlent'bein'g ventilated may conveniently'comprise an overhead wall, or ceiling, from which a sub-ceiling support structure 14 may be suspended by means of hangers indicated at 16. The support structure conveniently takes the form of channel members to which are firmly-connected a plurality of clip runners 17 spaced and aligned to receive in clip-in assembly a plurality of pan members 18 forming one component of each of thepanel units 11.

As is indicated in Figure 10, a plurality of pan members 18 may be provided in side by side relationship and each of the pan'members 18 presents a smooth wall surface to the interior of the compartment, each of the pan members 18'lying in adjacent co-planar relationship.

Selectedones of the panel units 11 are constructed'and arranged to operate as a diffusion means for distributing air to the compartment.

As is shown most clearly in Figure l, the pan member 18 includes a diffuser plate 19'presenting a smooth wall surface to the interior of the compartment which surface is intersected by a large number of small air flow passages or openings indicated at 20. The openings 20 are provided over the entire wall surface.

At opposite margins of the plate 19 are provided upstanding flanges 21 forming side walls. The side Walls or flanges 21' are beaded as at 22, thereby to provide clip means for placing the pan member 18 in firm assembly with spaced clip runners '17.

As is shown in Figures 1 and 10, each of the clip runners '17 has a pair of depending leg portions 23 recessed as at 24' to intermati'ngl'y receive the beaded flanges 21 in clip-in assembly.

A coverniem'oe'r indicated generally at 26 is provided for eachpan member 18. Each cover member 26 is made from a flat sheet of metal including a plate portion 27 having an 'operiin'g'28 formedi'n a central portion thereof and bounded on its margins by offset flanges 29 which are bent "downwardly at an acute angle to the plate after the cover member is formed into proper shape so as to retain the flanges 29 in locked assembly.

Clip members 31 are provided on the plate portion 27 of each of the cover members 26 and engage with the clip runners 17 as shown in Figure 10. i

The flanges 29 form side walls for the cover member 26 and as shown in Figure a peripheral gasket 32 made of a resilient material such as rubber or a rubber substitute may be provided on the flanges 29. Since each cover member 26 forms together with the pan member 18 a plenum chamber 33 which communicates with the air space 13 through the opening 28, the perimeter or peripheral gasket 32 finds particular utility in a ventilating installation as shown in Figure 10 since the gasket 32 will prevent the diffusion of air from the air space 13 into the compartment through any flow path other than the flow path established through the opening 28, the plenum chamber 33, and the diffusion openings 20 provided in the plate 19 of the pan member 18.

As is shown in Figure 1, a flat ring member 34 secured to the plate portion 27 of the cover 26 surrounds the opening 28 and provides a plurality of circumferentially spaced tongues 36 which are struck out so as to extend upwardly above the plane prescribed by the surface of the plate 27 and the ring member 34.

A first collar member indicated generally by the reference numeral 37 is provided to form an upstanding flange at the locale of the opening 28. The details of construction of the first collar member 37 are clearly disclosed in Figures 8 and 9. The member 37 comprises a radially extending flange 38 and the upstanding flange for the opening 28 is provided by a generally cylindrical wall portion or flange indicated at 39. An annular curved portion 40 extends between the flange 39 and the radial flange 38 so as to provide an annular valve seat for engaging a valve head member indicated generally at 41. The valve head member 41 conveniently comprises a sheet form member stamped into a dish-shaped configuration to provide an annular rim 42 of substantially complementary shape to the seat 40 and a cup-shaped body portion 43 which is adapted to be selectively received within the flange 39 so as to selectively restrict the size of the opening through the collar member 37 A bracket member 44 spans the flange 39, lying substantially on a diameter thereof and having offset leg portions 46 which can be conveniently attached to the flange 39 by means of spot welding or the like. The bracket member 44 takes the form of a sheet-form band medially offset as at 47 to provide a curved boss.

Adjacent the ends of the bracket member 44 are provided apertures which are indicated by the reference numerals 48 and 49 respectively. An elongated slot 50 is also provided at the boss portion 47. The openings 48 and 49 and the elongated slot 50 are aligned on a bias, in other words, the enumerated openings are acutely inclined with respect to the normal axis of the bracket member 44 and it may be noted that the angle of inclination is preferably correlated to the pitch angle of a threaded bolt indicated at 51.

A rod form spring member 52 abuts against one face of the bracket member 44 and is provided with a medially ofiset boss portion indicated at 53 shaped in a curved configuration complementary to the curved boss portion 47 One end portion of the spring member 52 is oifset as at 54 and passes through the opening 48 to engage the opposite face of the bracket member 44, the offset portion 54 lying on an axis generally parallel to the main axis of the spring member 52.

The opposite end of the spring member 52 is offset as at 56 and extends through the opening 49, the oflset portion 56 being bent generally transversely of the main length axis of the spring member 52 and also engaging the opposite face of the bracket member 44. It will be evident that the particular bending arrangement of the offsetportions 54 and 56 facilitates assembly of the spring member 52 through the openings 48 and 49 with the ofiset boss portion 53 extending through the elongated slot 50 thereby to form together with the offset boss portion 47 an adjustment nut means for threadedly mating with the bolt 51.

As is indicated in the drawings, the bolt 51 is threadedly adjusted in the nut means afforded by the boss portions chamber.

47 and 53 and forms the threaded valve stem for the valve head 41. i

A wing nut 57 is attached to one end of the bolt 51 and facilitates threadedly adjusting the bolt 51 for adjusting the valve head 41 relative to the seat 40, thereby to selectively control the flow of air through the collar member 37. A lock nut 58 retains the valve head 41 in firm assembly with the bolt 51, serving to clamp the valve head 41 against the wing nut 57.

As is shown in Figure 8, a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings 59 are provided in the radial flange 38 of the collar member 37. The openings 59 take the form of elongated slots adapted to receive the lugs 36 provided on the ring member 34, thereby to effect a bayonet coupling action. A felt pad 60 may be provided between the inside surface of the cover member 26 is provided a locator spring indicated at 62 and attached to the cover member 26 by a fastener 63. A curved portion 64 terminates in a locator pin 66 and selectively seats in one of the recesses or openings 61 thereby to preclude relative movement which might inadvertently disconnect the collar member 37 from the cover member 26.

In the embodiment of Figure 10, an air supply conduit 67 furnishes a supply of pressurized air to the air space 13 so that the air space 13 functions as a primary plenum Each of the respective collar members 37 on the various selected panel units will admit a controlled supply of pressurized air from the air space 13 into each of the respective plenum chambers 33 for diffused distribution outwardly through the plate 19 of the pan member 18. I

It will be evident that the apparatus described above may be installed in a sequence of installation which permits the pan members 18 to be snapped in place after all of the other components are already assembled on the support structure 14. By virtue of such arrangement, each of the individual valving units in the respective collar members 37 may be selectively adjusted to effect an air balance for the particular compartment being ventilated. In other words, all of the valving units in the respective collar members 37 may be selectively adjusted for varying load conditions before ceiling erection. Furthermore, with the arrangement of the present invention, all adjustments may be effected without requiring the use of tools since the various valving units may be manually adjusted through turning of the wing nuts 57 and thereafter all of the pan members 18 may be manually snapped in place.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, a separate duct 68 is provided in the air space 13 and is adapted to carry a supply of pressurized ventilating air. The duct 68 preferably takes the form of a thin wall structure having a In the flange 72 is provided a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings indicated generally at 73. A plurality of spring clip members 74 corresponding in number to the opening 73 are also provided. Each clip member 74 includes a first leg 76 overlying one side of the flange '72 and including a lug 77 received in the recess or opening 73.

Each clip member 74 further includes a second leg member 78 which overlies the opposite side of the flange 72 and which projects beyond the radial flange "i 1.

A radially outwardly oifset lug 79 is provided on the second leg '78 and is preferably spaced from the radial flange 71 so as to clamp the edge portions of the duct 68 surrounding the opening 69 therebetween. A gasket 80 may be interposed between the radial flange 71 and the duct 68. The second leg 78 may also be oifset as at 81 to improve the resilience of the spring clip member '74.

The second leg 78 of each spring clip member '74 is provided with an acutely inclined portion indicated at 82 which provides a sliding surface 83. When the clip members 74 are mounted on the flange 72, all of the sliding surfaces 83 will incline inwardly so that the collar may be attached to the duct merely by inserting the inclined portions 82 through the opening 69 whereupon the sliding portions 83 will engage the edges of the duct 68 around the opening 69 and will permit snap-in engagement of the collar member 7 0 with the duct 68.

A flexible sleeve 84 is attached to the flange 72 at one end and to the flange 39 at the other end, for example, as by cementing so as to provide a flexible conduit between the duct 68 and the panel unit 11. it will be noted from the drawings that the flexible sleeve 84 preferably takes the form of a serpentine tube having corrugated side walls capable of being flexed in both lateral and longitudinal direction. This is an advantageous provision as will be noted in referring to Figure 2, the opening 69 in the duct 63 of Figure 2 being shown as considerably mis-aligned with respect to the opening 28 in the cover member 26. The flexible sleeve 84 provides an air flow passage between the openings, thereby aflording considerable tolerance in installation procedures.

Although minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come Within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a room ventilating apparatus, a pan member having a foraminous plate-like surface flanged at opposite margins to provide side walls therefor, each of said side walls providing a clip portion for snap-in engagement with a support, a cover member for said pan member and together therewith forming a plenum chamber, said cover member comprising a plate having flanged margins to provide side Walls therefor, a perimeter gasket on said side walls, said cover member received by said pan member with said gasket clamped between said side walls and said foraminous surface and said plate being spaced from said foraminous surface, said plate having an inlet opening therein, and a collar in said opening having a valve therein to connect said plenum chamber to a source of ventilating air at higher pressure than in said plenum chamber for diffused distribution of ventilating air through said pan member.

2. In a room ventilating apparatus, a ceiling diffuser member having a foraminous plate-like surface through which a supply of ventilating air is displaced, means forming flanges at opposite margins of said plate-like surface to provide upstanding side Walls, each of said side walls having a deformed portion for snap-in engagement with a support formed as a clip, a cover member for said ceiling diffuser member and together therewith forming a plenum space, said cover member comprising a plate having flanged margins inclined downwardly to engage the outer margins of said foraminous plate-like surface, said cover member being received by said ceiling diffuser member and having said flanged margins spaced inwardly of said upstanding side walls for engagement with said ceiling diffuser member at said outer margins, said plate having an inlet opening formed therein, a collar in said opening, and volume control means in said collar to regulate the supply of ventilating air admitted into said plenum space from a source of ventilating air at higher pressure than in said plenum space for diffused distribution of ventilating air through said plate-like surface.

3. In a room ventilating apparatus as defined in claim 2, an inner Wall spaced interiorly of a wall or ceiling of the room being ventilated and forming a false ceiling in which said ceiling diifuser member is mounted and mounting means including a sub-ceiling support carrying said inner wall and engaging said upstanding side walls at the margins of said diffuser member to connect said diffuser member to said sub-ceiling support.

4. In the combination of claim 3, said sub-ceiling support comprising clip runners and said upstanding side walls having said deformed portion formed as a clip for snap-in engagement with said clip runners.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,143,802 Batterman June 22, 1915 1,499,962 Barnes July 1, 1924 1,864,861 Schaller June 28, 1932 1,921,457 Dickinson Aug. 8, 1933 2,180,945 Morey Nov. 21, 1939 2,241,773 Ernolf May 13, 1941 2,251,663 Darbo Aug. 5, 1941 2,251,682 Leadbetter Aug. 5, 1941 2,413,402 Becker Dec. 31, 1946 2,448,359 Davison Aug. 31, 1948 2,458,614 Malchus Jan. 11, 1949 2,461,024 Baumgardner Feb. 8, 1949 2,550,810 Heidbrink May 1, 1951 2,585,666 McDowell Feb. 12, 1952 2,662,463 Kurek Dec. 15, 1953 2,701,998 Wulle Feb. 15, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 375,862 Great Britain July 4, 1932 474.849 Great Britain Nov. 9, 1937 

